Arafat Minhas, aged 21, is a left-arm spinner and lower-order batter from Multan who has become Pakistan’s most interesting all-round option. On 20 October in Rawalpindi, he scored a maiden ODI fifty before taking 6 for 40 to beat England by 87 runs. Hasan Nawaz’s 79 was the best top-order score, yet the match belonged to the younger player. A pair of five-wicket hauls across five matches suggests this was not a one-night surprise. That combination is rare enough to deserve a closer look.
A Rescue From 133 for 5
Pakistan’s innings began badly. Fakhar Zaman fell to the first ball, Saim Ayub managed 8 and Babar Azam 34, leaving the score at 59 for 3. Saad Baig added 35 before leaving, and Salman Ali Agha had managed only 16, so the hosts stood at 133 for 5 with the innings in need of repair. That collapse is the context that makes the later recovery so valuable.
Hasan Nawaz and Minhas then put together a stand of 78, with Nawaz making 79 from 74 balls. Minhas produced his first ODI half-century, and nine fours helped him to 59 from 58 balls. A further partnership of 72 with Faheem Ashraf, who hit 39 from 25 deliveries, carried Pakistan to a total of 302 for 9. Few totals are built from a worse start than that, and the stand reshaped the whole evening.
Pakistan ODI tri-series 2026 star Arafat Minhas
Minhas was born in Multan on 2 January 2005. He made his ODI bow at Rawalpindi on 30 May 2026, facing Australia, where he took 5 for 32 and finished unbeaten on 18, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on debut in the format. That opening game set a standard few debutants reach, and the England performance showed it was not a fluke.
Ahead of this tournament, he had 549 runs and 29 wickets from 26 List A matches. Against England, he reached five wickets for the second time in only five ODIs. The team has won both of its tri-series matches so far, after a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opener. The numbers mark a fast start to a short international career.
Six Wickets Turn the Chase
England made a bright start, with Tom Banton scoring 57 and Ben Duckett 45 in an opening stand of 91. Then Minhas intervened. His 6 for 40 came from 8.4 overs and remains a career best. Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Jordan Cox, Harry Brook and Banton all fell to him, and he also ran out Gus Atkinson.
England were bowled out for 215 after 38.4 overs, handing Pakistan victory by 87 runs. Minhas collected the Player of the Match award. He also became only the third Pakistani to combine a fifty with five wickets in a single ODI, following Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi. Taking six wickets and scoring a half-century in one match is rare in any format, which is why the comparison with those two names matters.
A Lower-Order Role With Substance
Minhas is a lower-middle-order batter, positioned behind teammates who have scored unevenly. Salman Ali Agha struck 107 from 90 balls against Sri Lanka and then 16 against England. Nawaz made 37 before his 79. Minhas himself scored 18 from 15 balls against Sri Lanka, so that 59 is now his highest ODI score.
Longer-format numbers back up the batting too: 941 first-class runs at 32.44, topped by an unbeaten 152. Those figures suggest the runs against England were no accident, and they give the selectors a reason to see him as a genuine all-rounder.
Place in the World Cup Plans
Between 18 and 31 October, the tri-series doubles as preparation for the ODI World Cup. Sufiyan Moqim, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan already give Pakistan spin options, while Faheem Ashraf offers seam-bowling all-round skills. Shaheen Shah Afridi captains the group. Having one player who covers two roles frees a place elsewhere.
Left-arm control with lower-order runs in one player is a balance that helps a group like this. England return on 25 October in Lahore, Sri Lanka follow on 27 October, and the final is set for 31 October. How Pakistan ODI tri-series 2026 star Arafat Minhas performs in those fixtures will show whether the Rawalpindi heroics can be repeated.
Should Pakistan treat Minhas as a first-choice all-rounder at the World Cup? Tell us in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Arafat Minhas and where is he from?
Arafat Minhas is a 21-year-old all-rounder from Multan. He bowls left-arm orthodox spin, bats left-handed, and has been part of Pakistan’s ODI side since his debut in May 2026.
How many wickets did Minhas take against England?
His figures were 6 for 40 across 8.4 overs, the best of his career. He also ran out Gus Atkinson to close the innings at 215 and was named Player of the Match.
Is Minhas mainly a bowler or a batter?
Minhas qualifies as an all-rounder, with real impact in both skills. His first ODI half-century, plus a pair of five-wicket returns from five appearances, support that label, and he averages 32.44 in first-class cricket.
Who won the 20 October England match in Rawalpindi?
Pakistan won the Rawalpindi match by 87 runs. Minhas scored 59 and took 6 for 40, while Pakistan made 302 for 9 and bowled England out for 215.
Who is in Pakistan’s tri-series squad?
Shaheen Shah Afridi captains a 16-man squad. It also includes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Arafat Minhas among other names.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.